One of my dogs has a tendency to sit in front of me when strangers are in the house. Repairmen, cable installer, etc...
Yesterday, an electrician inspector told me this is a negative dog behavior/trait.
I don't think it is...who's right?
2007-01-26 04:12:35 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had a dog like this at one point, but I was in full control of my dog. As long as I communicated to the dog it was okay, she was fine and listened. It's not a bad thing for your dog to be protective of you in a situation with strangers, but it is important that you keep that in check and that you are in control of the behavior (i.e. the dog stops when you indicate it to do so). If the dog isn't listening to you in these types of situations, then you may want to consult a professional trainer to assist you with this.
2007-01-26 08:39:59 · answer #1 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Negative would not be the right way to describe it. Perhaps to the repairman it is undesirable behavior, but to you it is being protective and comforting.
It's up to you as the pack leader to let the dog know how you feel about this behavior. More importantly, how you feel the dog should behave with strangers in your house. If you do nothing when he sits in front of you, then you're passively rewarding this behavior. Keep it up if that's what you want - all good.
If you'd prefer a different behavior then change up the scenario on him and reward him when he behaves more in tune with how you would like him to with visitors. Perhaps give the visitors a treat to give the dog. the dog will learn strangers are nothing to fear.
Don't worry - if you are ever really in the danger the dog will undoubtedly protect you.
2007-01-26 12:24:24 · answer #2 · answered by symbo61 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your electrician inspector is right. You need to have a partnership with your dog but you are 51% and he is 49%. You get to say who he growls at, it's not his decision. 95% of dogs who growl and bite are actually afraid. As a professional dog trainer, I see this all the time. My guess is, if he's sitting in front of you, he's looking for your "backup". If you move away from him, does he move with you? Probably. He needs you for support. I totally understand your feeling about wanting him to protect you. If a dog needs to protect you, he will. He doesn't have to growl and show defensive behaviours. I suggest you find a good trainer and take him to some classes. Get a handle on his behaviour before he bites somebody. If he bites, you'll have to kill him. Yes, kill him. Not "put him down", not "put him to sleep". Let's call a spade a spade. You will have to kill him and it will be a horrible thing because you will feel guilty because you didn't stop him when you could have. Please take my advice and there will be a happy ending to the story instead of a sad one.
2007-01-26 12:42:01 · answer #3 · answered by k9 trainer 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I bet that electrician has seen dogs that go from being protective to being really scary. If you're not specifically training for that and you don't know how this behavior can escalate, I'd say it is a bad thing to encourage. Not something for a regular pet owner to have to deal with later - lawsuits can be expensive and heartbreaking.
2007-01-26 12:47:18 · answer #4 · answered by Misa M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is Awesome!!!
But sadly, a lot of people look at this as a negative trait simply because of the possible danger that it poses to humans. In my opinion, it's really just a matter of personal preference. Your dog may feel as though it is the 'Alpha Dog' and feels like it needs to 'protect the pack'.
2007-01-26 12:21:36 · answer #5 · answered by Mister 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to say this, but yes it is a negative trait! You're dog could progress this trait into attacking a stranger. It would be best to train you're sweetie not to do this...it is okay to be protective in the right setting...but not all the time! If someone were to attack you then I am sure your dog would come to the rescue.
2007-01-26 12:17:27 · answer #6 · answered by designz51 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not what you think it is. It is a dominance issue. The dog thinks you belong to him/her and they have to decide who approaches you and when and where. I would suggest taking a look at your relationship with your dog and see if there is a problem and then fix it. If I am right, and I believe I am, you will have a problem on your hands one day. Please do not listen to people who tell you that your doggy is just protecting you and all that nonsense. YOU decide when and where you need to be protected. That decision is left up to the pack leader to make. Good luck.
2007-01-26 12:24:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He is just trying to protect you. I would put him on a leash so that any movement the strangers make your dog will not see it as an intention movement and try to bite. some times a simple movement can be seen as a threat and a dog will misinterpet it as a threat to you.
2007-01-26 12:22:25 · answer #8 · answered by bluebonnetgranny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its good that your dog is protective of you. I mean, you see I have 4 dogs and they all hate men. Especially those they don't now. Aren't you gald your little angle "dog" did what he did. If your dog didn't site between you and the electrician guy who knows what he/she might have done to you.
2007-01-26 12:21:17 · answer #9 · answered by Sophie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you are a single woman then he is just playing protector which is not a bad thing these days however i dont think its a negative trait maybe he just doesnt trust anybody else.and maybe he said that because he was just nervous.however i wouldnt try to break the dog of this as it is a good protector
2007-01-26 12:18:37 · answer #10 · answered by mikemassey2003 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋